2015β16 season | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Chairman | Norman Smurthwaite | |||
Manager | Rob Page | |||
Stadium | Vale Park | |||
Football League One | 12th (65 points) | |||
FA Cup | Second Round (knocked out by Exeter City) | |||
League Cup | Second Round (knocked out by West Bromwich Albion) | |||
Football League Trophy | Second Round (knocked out by Blackpool) | |||
Player of the Year | Anthony Grant | |||
Top goalscorer | League:
A-Jay Leitch-Smith (10) All: A-Jay Leitch-Smith (12) | |||
Highest home attendance | 6,822 vs. Sheffield United, 3 October 2015 | |||
Lowest home attendance | 2,571 vs. Carlisle United, 1 September 2015 | |||
Average home league attendance | 4,993 | |||
Biggest win | 3β0 (twice) and 4β1 (once) | |||
Biggest defeat | 0β5 vs. Walsall, 8 May 2016 | |||
| ||||
The 2015β16 season was Port Vale's 104th season of football in the English Football League, and third-successive season in League One. It was manager Rob Page's first full season in management. The season covers the period from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016.
Chairman Norman Smurthwaite announced a cut in the wage bill. He reduced contract offers for many out-of-contract players, which led to Mark Marshall, Ben Williamson and top-scorer Tom Pope leaving the club on free transfers after rejecting contract offers. A new youth policy was unveiled, and eight free agents, five youth team players and two loan players were signed at the start of the campaign. They made an encouraging start to the campaign, with new names Enoch Andoh and Jak Alnwick impressing, beating Championship side Burnley in the League Cup before going out on penalties to Premier League club West Bromwich Albion. However, a poor defeat in the Second Round of the FA Cup to League Two side Exeter City cost the club a lucrative Third Round tie with Liverpool and prompted Smurthwaite to put the club up for sale officially.
Vale remained positioned between 13th and 8th from November onwards, and realistic hopes of a play-off position were ended after a run of just one point from four games from 19 March. They ended this run of poor form by relegating local rivals Crewe Alexandra on 2 April. They were reliant on loan striker Uche Ikpeazu for goals early in the campaign before Louis Dodds and A-Jay Leitch-Smith, in particular, found scoring form in the latter half of the season.
Five youth team players were given professional contracts for the 2015β16 season: defender Lewis Bergin, midfielders Chekaine Steele, Billy Reeves and Omar Haughton, and striker Jonathon Kapend. [1] Manager Rob Page signed a new two-year contract in May 2015. [2] However, he needed to avoid a poor start to the season as chairman Norman Smurthwaite warned he was prepared to make "ruthless decisions" if the club were struggling by September. [3] The first signings of the season were powerful former loanee defender Remie Streete from Newcastle United, and former Norwich City youth player Sam Kelly. [4] Midfielder Sam Foley also joined the "Valiants" on a two-year contract, choosing to leave relegated Yeovil Town just after picking up Yeovil's Player of the Year award. [5] Page further strengthened the defence and midfield by signing Walsall right-back Ben Purkiss and Crewe Alexandra defensive midfielder Anthony Grant. [6] Page needed to find a cost-effective forward with the club both short on strikers following the departure of Tom Pope and Ben Williamson and with little funds available due to a large cut to the wage bill, and so brought in young Watford striker Uche Ikpeazu on loan, having been impressed by Ikpeazu's performances for Crewe last season. [7] Another former Crewe favourite, A-Jay Leitch-Smith, was also signed after impressing Page during pre-season. [8] The eighth and final summer signing was Ryan Inniss, who was confirmed as joining on a season-long loan from Crystal Palace after being linked with a return to Vale Park for many weeks. [9] On 6 August, Vale signed goalkeeper Jak Alnwick on a short-term deal; he was signed to compete with Sam Johnson for a first-team place as Chris Neal was out injured at the start of the season. [10]
The season opened with the derby against Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road, and the game ended 0β0 with eight players making their debuts for Vale; Crewe boss Steve Davis admitted Vale were the better team and had man of the match goalkeeper Ben Garratt to thank for the clean sheet. [11] Two days later a third former Newcastle United Academy graduate arrived in striker JJ Hooper, who had scored 20 goals in 29 games the previous season for Havant & Waterlooville. [12] The unbeaten start continued with a 1β1 draw with Gillingham, Louis Dodds scoring the equalising goal to secure the point. [13] An injury-time penalty from Sam Foley then rescued a point away at Swindon Town as Vale twice came from behind against an attractive Swindon side; the penalty was awarded in bizarre circumstances as Jordan Williams handled the ball from a corner to try and stop the game after seeing a teammate lying injured on the pitch. [14] Vale then cruised to a comfortable 3β0 home victory over Doncaster Rovers despite Foley missing a penalty early in the game. [15] Yet another player arrived in the form of central midfielder Jak McCourt, signed on a one-month loan from Leicester City. [16] The unbeaten start to the season came to an end at Bradford City when Devante Cole scored the only goal of the game four minutes into stoppage time. [17]
Vale let slip a two-goal lead over Wigan Athletic on 12 September, but Ikpeazu managed to claim all three points for Vale after Wigan's equalising goalscorer Leon Barnett was sent off for bringing down Andoh. [18] Millwall were the next visitors to Vale Park, and like Wigan had been relegated from the Championship the previous season, but unlike Wigan managed to beat the Vale 2β0 with a professional performance. [19] Vale then travelled to Bury and slipped to a 1β0 defeat in a poor game that was decided by a set-piece. [20] Vale came from behind at Fleetwood Town to win 2β1 after Page substituted top-scorer Ikpeazu for Colin Daniel, who went on to score the equalising goal. [21] The situation was reversed at home to Oldham Athletic, Ikpeazu coming off the bench to secure a point against the division's away draw specialists, though Page again bemoaned his team's habit of conceding form set pieces. [22]
Vale put in a highly impressive performance to defeat Sheffield United 2β1 and climb to within one point of the play-off places. [23] They failed to build on the result however, falling to a 1β0 loss at Southend United; Phil Brown said the Southend performance was the best he had seen as Southend manager. [24] The story before the Peterborough United game was that Jak Alnwick was to line up against his elder brother Ben Alnwick, though the headlines after the game focused on Vale's penalty takers, as Michael O'Connor marked his return from injury by missing a penalty and central midfield partner Foley later missed a second penalty in the game to squander two points in what ended as a 1β1 draw. [25] Vale then had a tough mid-week game at Colchester United, and lost 2β1 after suffering two injuries in the first half. [26] More significantly Andoh suffered damage to his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and was ruled out for the rest of the season. [27] Ikpeazu was sent off 25 minutes into Vale's trip to high-flying Burton Albion, but ironically it was only after the hosts also went down to ten men late into the game that Vale conceded two goals to lose 2β0. [28] Vale ended a poor October with a 2β0 home victory over Shrewsbury Town. [29]
On 14 November, Vale picked up all three points at Oakwell after a 2β1 victory over Barnsley. [30] Less than 40 hours after their FA Cup first round victory, Vale then had a home fixture against Chesterfield on a snow covered pitch, but managed to put in a high quality performance and claim a 3β2 win. [31] Their home game against Blackpool was the players' third game in five days, but they showed no signs of fatigue as two late goals secured a 2β0 victory. [32] They failed to end the month unbeaten however, as they fell to a 2β1 defeat at Rochdale; after the game Page said he was "gobsmacked" by the referee's key decisions to award Rochdale a penalty when Carl Dickinson had "definitely taken the ball", to deny Vale a penalty after Ikpeazu was "absolutely poleaxed" in the penalty box, and to send Dickinson off when he "hasn't touched the lad at all and the lad goes down like he has been shot." [33] Page was nominated for the League One Manager of the Month award. [34]
Despite revelations off-the-pitch and a disappointing FA Cup exit, Vale kept their league form steady on 12 December with a 1β1 home draw with Scunthorpe United. [35] However, they then came away from a trip to high-flying Walsall with a 2β0 defeat in a game that typified the team's unsuccessful negative tactics away from home. [36] Captain Carl Dickinson defended the team's record however, stating that negative fans who booed should "shut up and get behind the team". [37] A trip to the Ricoh Arena on boxing day to face Coventry City seemed to be heading for a goalless draw until Coventry took the lead ten minutes from full-time, leaving Page to rue his team's missed opportunities in the first half. [38] Vale ended the year with a 1β0 home win over Bury, maintaining their excellent form at Vale Park. [39]
A waterlogged pitch meant Vale had to wait until a trip to Blackpool on 9 January to open the year, and Vale managed to continue their good form with a hard-earned 1β0 victory, Leitch-Smith the goalscorer. [40] Their away form remained poor however, as they were well beaten at Millwall on 17 January. [41] The team were then booed off after surrendering a 1β0 lead over ten man Bradford to draw 1β1. [42] Page then entered the transfer market, bringing in Jamaica international striker Theo Robinson and taking Cardiff City winger Matty Kennedy on a one-month loan (which was later extended by two months [43]). [44] Kennedy started the next game, as Leitch-Smith scored both of Vale's goals in a 2β1 win over Doncaster Rovers. [45] However, Vale ended the month with a 3β0 defeat at Wigan following a first-half red card for Ryan McGivern. [46]
Vale began February just a point outside the play-offs after recording what Page described as an "ugly" 1β0 win over Swindon. [47] Vale then outplayed Coventry, but needed a sensational goal from Sam Kelly to win a point and a 1β1 draw. [48] Vale then rounded off a series of three successive home games with a 0β0 draw with Fleetwood. [49] Injury to Alnwick meant that Neal was recalled from his loan spell at Doncaster Rovers for the trip to Sheffield United, which ended in a 1β0 defeat from a Billy Sharp goal. [50] They ended the month with an impressive 3β1 home win over Southend to remain in touch with the play-off places. [51]
Struggling Oldham held Vale to a 1β1 draw on 1 March, having lost their slender lead to a disputed penalty. [52] A 2β0 home win over bottom-club Colchester kept the Vale in touch of the play-offs. [53] The season appeared to be petering out as Vale trailed by 2β0 at half-time at Peterborough, but they turned the game around completely in the second half to claim a 3β2 victory. [54] Page praised the character of his players after revealing eight players had paid to stay in a local hotel the night before to save travelling on the day. [55] However, the next game saw Page apologizing to the fans after league leaders Burton ended Vale's 14-game unbeaten league run at home with a 4β0 win. [56] Vale were heading for a 1β0 victory over Shrewsbury when a late error from Alnwick allowed Sullay Kaikai's long-distance strike to become an equalizing goal. [57] A 1β0 home defeat to play-off chasing Barnsley then ended any realistic hopes of a play-off place for the Vale. [58]
On 2 April, Port Vale collapsed away at Chesterfield, losing a convincing 1β0 half-time lead to lose 4β2; Page described the performance as "embarrassing" and "not acceptable". [59] Seven days later Vale went on to relegate nearby Crewe Alexandra with a comfortable 3β0 home victory, Dodds scoring a brace and Hooper claiming one goal. [60] Vale went on to record a 2β0 win at sixth-place Gillingham using a 3β5β2 formation with McGivern, Streete, and Richard Duffy operating as central defenders. [61] The winning run continued with a comfortable 4β1 victory over Rochdale, before coming to an end with a 1β0 defeat at Scunthorpe. [62] [63] Walsall inflicted a heavy 5β0 on Vale on the final game of the season. [64]
Page offered new contracts to 13 out-of-contract players, and opted to release nine players: Lewis Bergin, Achille Campion, Colin Daniel, Omar Haughton (who was later re-signed after Page departed [65]), Jonathon Kapend, Ryan McGivern, Chris Neal, Chekaine Steele, and Theo Robinson. [66] However, Page himself would not stay to see any of these contracts signed, as he left the club to take charge at newly- promoted Northampton Town. [67] The first player to leave the club after rejecting a contract was Louis Dodds, who joined league rivals Shrewsbury Town. [68] He was quickly followed by Richard Duffy, who dropped down two divisions to join National League club Eastleigh. [69] Star midfielder Michael O'Connor, top-scorer A-Jay Leitch-Smith, and club captain Carl Dickinson also confirmed that they would be leaving the club after rejecting the club's new contract offer. [70] [71] The last to leave was Enoch Andoh, who could not agree terms with the club despite protracted negotiations. [72]
Chairman Norman Smurthwaite stated that due to falling gate figures the club's wage bill would be cut for the 2015β16 season, meaning a severely reduced contract offer for star striker Tom Pope, who chose to leave the club. [73] In a statement released in March 2017, Smurthwaite stated that on 10 November 2015 he was approached by an American hedge fund consortium who were looking to buy the club. [74] He further stated that a local business also approached the club secretary to purchase the club behind Smurthwaite's back. [74] Following the club's FA Cup exit Smurthwaite officially put the club up for sale, saying that he felt "humiliated, ashamed and embarrassed" after witnessing the team's performance. [75] He set an asking price of Β£4.25 million, stating "I have never lost money on a transaction in my adult life and I am not starting now". [76] He also stated that plans to sign a striker in the January transfer window would be scrapped. [77] He continued to reveal that he had been physically assaulted by three Vale supporters in April 2014, though Staffordshire Police could find no record of Smurthwaite's complaint. [78] He also admitted that he had been planning on buying Torquay United before being told by the Football League that he would not be allowed to own two clubs. [79] He further claimed that he had considered appointing Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink as manager in September 2014, but decided against it partly because he believed that a racist minority of the club's supporters would make appointing a black manager a bad idea. [80]
"I just feel I have let the club down because I have tried to do everything myself which meant cut costs to put every available penny on to the pitch. Clearly that must be wrong because yesterday if the players had put the same amount of effort into playing as I do into paying them every month we would have knocked that club for six."
β Smurthwaite became disillusioned with the club following the FA Cup defeat. [81]
Smurthwaite signed an exclusivity deal with a local company in February 2016. [82] [74] He said that if the club were not sold than next season's budget would be slashed by Β£800,000 and the playing squad would be reduced; Page said that Smurthwaite's comments were "unwelcome". [83] Ben Purkiss admitted that Smurthwaite's threat to cut player's wages by 40% had a destabilising effect on the squad. [84] The exclusivity agreement ended in early March, with the club back on general sale. [85] Smurthwaite said this was because the company had significantly reduced their offer and admitted that they needed to find further finances to conclude the deal. [74] A consortium from Boston, USA then signed an exclusivity deal on 14 March. [74] Smurthwaite ended the negotiations after finding that the investors had no working capital. [74] Port Vale owed Norman Smurthwaite Β£3 million as a director's loan at the end of June 2016. [86]
Vale's first opponents in the FA Cup were Maidenhead United of the National League South, who came back from Byron Moore's first half opener to bring about a replay after a stoppage time equaliser. [87] An upset seemed on the cards in the replay when Maidenhead took the lead, but Vale gradually took control of the game and A-Jay Leitch-Smith scored a brace in an eventual 3β1 victory. [88] Smurthwaite was rumoured to have planned to sack Page live on BT Sport if the club lost the game, though he dismissed the rumour as untrue. [89] A trip to mid-table League Two side Exeter City awaited in the second Round, and an all-round "hugely disappointing performance" resulted in a 2β0 defeat. [90] After the game Smurthwaite and Page had a heated confrontation on the pitch, leading to speculation on the manager's future. [91] Had Vale beaten Exeter then they would have had a lucrative home tie with Liverpool in the Third Round. [92]
In the League Cup First Round Vale hosted Burnley, who had been relegated from the Premier League the previous season; Byron Moore scored the only goal of the game on 82 minutes. [93] The Second Round draw took them to Premier League side West Bromwich Albion, and Vale held Tony Pulis's side to a 0β0 draw until the end of extra time before losing the penalty shoot-out. [94]
Vale hosted League Two side Carlisle United in the First Round of the Football League Trophy, and Page named the strongest side at his disposal whilst "Blues" boss Keith Curle left top-scorer Jabo Ibehre on the bench; Uche Ikpeazu scored the only goal of the game as a Vale booked their place in the Second Round. [95] Despite naming a strong team at home to struggling Blackpool, who made eight changes, Page was angered with the team for their performance as they crashed out at the Second round with a 2β1 defeat. [96]
11 July 2015 | Newcastle Town | 0β3 | Port Vale | Newcastle-under-Lyme |
14:30 BST | Report |
Daniel ![]() Brown ![]() Campion ![]() |
Stadium: Lyme Valley Stadium Attendance: 1,612 |
14 July 2015 | Alsager Town | 2β5 | Port Vale | Alsager |
19:30 BST | Hill ![]() Johnson ![]() |
Report |
Moore ![]() O'Connor ![]() Andoh ![]() Daniel ![]() Campion ![]() |
Stadium: Wood Park Stadium |
15 July 2015 | Kidsgrove Athletic | 0β5 | Port Vale | Kidsgrove |
19:30 BST | Report |
Daniel ![]() McGivern ![]() Birchall ![]() Leitch-Smith ![]() |
Stadium: The Novus Stadium Attendance: 818 |
21 July 2015 | Port Vale | 2β1 | Notts County | Burslem |
19:30 BST |
Dickinson ![]() Dodds ![]() |
Report |
Stead ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 768 |
25 July 2015 | Port Vale | 2β2 | Getafe | Burslem |
15:00 BST |
Leitch-Smith ![]() |
Report |
Wanderson Campos ![]() Villameuela ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 1,652 |
28 July 2015 | Port Vale | 1β2 | Bolton Wanderers | Burslem |
19:30 BST |
Foley ![]() |
Report |
Madine ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 1,288 |
1 August 2015 | Altrincham | 1β2 | Port Vale | Altrincham |
15:00 BST | Reeves ![]() |
Report |
Daniel ![]() Ikpeazu ![]() |
Stadium:
Moss Lane Attendance: 494 |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 | Rochdale | 46 | 19 | 12 | 15 | 68 | 61 | +7 | 69 |
11 | Sheffield United | 46 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 64 | 59 | +5 | 66 |
12 | Port Vale | 46 | 18 | 11 | 17 | 56 | 58 | −2 | 65 |
13 | Peterborough United | 46 | 19 | 6 | 21 | 82 | 73 | +9 | 63 |
14 | Southend United | 46 | 16 | 11 | 19 | 58 | 64 | −6 | 59 |
8 August 2015 1 | Crewe Alexandra | 0β0 | Port Vale | Crewe |
15:00 BST | Report | Stadium:
Gresty Road Attendance: 6,751 Referee: Dean Whitestone |
15 August 2015 2 | Port Vale | 1β1 | Gillingham | Burslem |
15:00 BST |
Dodds ![]() |
Report |
Dack ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 5,067 Referee: Fred Graham |
18 August 2015 3 | Swindon Town | 2β2 | Port Vale | Swindon |
19:45 BST |
Robert ![]() Rodgers ![]() |
Report |
Ikpeazu ![]() Foley ![]() |
Stadium:
County Ground Attendance: 7,026 Referee: Brendan Malone |
22 August 2015 4 | Port Vale | 3β0 | Doncaster Rovers | Burslem |
15:00 BST |
Foley ![]() Ikpeazu ![]() Moore ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,775 Referee: Robert Lewis |
29 August 2015 5 | Bradford City | 1β0 | Port Vale | Bradford |
15:00 BST |
Cole ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Valley Parade Attendance: 17,806 Referee: Jeremy Simpson |
12 September 2015 6 | Port Vale | 3β2 | Wigan Athletic | Burslem |
15:00 BST |
Grant ![]() Dodds ![]() Ikpeazu ![]() |
Report |
McCann ![]() Barnett ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 5,953 Referee: Mark Haywood |
15 September 2015 7 | Port Vale | 0β2 | Millwall | Burslem |
19:45 BST | Report |
Beevers ![]() Gregory ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,477 Referee: Oliver Langford |
19 September 2015 8 | Bury | 1β0 | Port Vale | Bury |
15:00 BST |
Cameron ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Gigg Lane Attendance: 4,323 Referee: Darren Drysdale |
26 September 2015 9 | Fleetwood Town | 1β2 | Port Vale | Fleetwood |
15:00 BST |
Grant ![]() |
Report |
Daniel ![]() Foley ![]() |
Stadium:
Highbury Stadium Attendance: 3,560 Referee: Seb Stockbridge |
29 September 2015 10 | Port Vale | 1β1 | Oldham Athletic | Burslem |
19:45 BST |
Ikpeazu ![]() |
Report |
Higdon ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,065 Referee: Kevin Johnson |
3 October 2015 11 | Port Vale | 2β1 | Sheffield United | Burslem |
15:00 BST |
Moore ![]() Ikpeazu ![]() |
Report |
Done ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 6,822 Referee: Graham Salisbury |
10 October 2015 12 | Southend United | 1β0 | Port Vale | Southend-on-Sea |
15:00 BST |
Pigott ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Roots Hall Attendance: 6,543 Referee: Iain Williamson |
17 October 2015 13 | Port Vale | 1β1 | Peterborough United | Burslem |
15:00 BST |
Andoh ![]() |
Report |
Bostwick ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,864 Referee: Richard Clark |
20 October 2015 14 | Colchester United | 2β1 | Port Vale | Colchester |
19:45 BST |
Elokobi ![]() Sordell ![]() |
Report |
Daniel ![]() |
Stadium:
Colchester Community Stadium Attendance: 2,785 Referee: Darren Deadman |
24 October 2015 15 | Burton Albion | 2β0 | Port Vale | Burton upon Trent |
15:00 BST |
Naylor ![]() El Khayati ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Pirelli Stadium Attendance: 4,076 Referee: David Coote |
31 October 2015 16 | Port Vale | 2β0 | Shrewsbury Town | Burslem |
15:00 GMT |
Dodds ![]() O'Connor ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,880 Referee: Darren Handley |
14 November 2015 17 | Barnsley | 1β2 | Port Vale | Barnsley |
15:00 GMT |
Winnall ![]() |
Report |
Leitch-Smith ![]() Foley ![]() |
Stadium:
Oakwell Attendance: 8,696 Referee: Tony Harrington |
21 November 2015 18 | Port Vale | 3β2 | Chesterfield | Burslem |
15:00 GMT |
Kelly ![]() Leitch-Smith ![]() Dodds ![]() |
Report |
Simons ![]() Novak ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,420 Referee: Michael Bull |
24 November 2015 19 | Port Vale | 2β0 | Blackpool | Burslem |
19:45 GMT |
Leitch-Smith ![]() Birchall ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 3,640 Referee: David Webb |
28 November 2015 20 | Rochdale | 2β1 | Port Vale | Rochdale |
15:00 GMT |
Henderson ![]() Mendez-Laing ![]() |
Report |
Birchall ![]() |
Stadium:
Spotland Stadium Attendance: 2,510 Referee: Darren England |
12 December 2015 21 | Port Vale | 1β1 | Scunthorpe United | Burslem |
15:00 GMT |
Leitch-Smith ![]() |
Report |
King ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 3,983 Referee: Lee Collins |
20 December 2015 22 | Walsall | 2β0 | Port Vale | Walsall |
12:00 GMT |
Cook ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Bescot Stadium Referee: Kevin Wright |
26 December 2015 23 | Coventry City | 1β0 | Port Vale | Coventry |
15:00 GMT |
Maddison ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Ricoh Arena Attendance: 17,779 Referee: Robert Lewis |
28 December 2015 24 | Port Vale | 1β0 | Bury | Burslem |
15:00 GMT |
Kelly ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 5,467 Referee: James Adcock |
9 January 2016 25 | Blackpool | 0β1 | Port Vale | Blackpool |
15:00 GMT | Report |
Leitch-Smith ![]() |
Stadium:
Bloomfield Road Attendance: 6,527 Referee: Seb Stockbridge |
17 January 2016 26 | Millwall | 3β1 | Port Vale | New Cross |
15:00 GMT |
Gregory ![]() Morison ![]() |
Report |
Hooper ![]() |
Stadium:
The Den Attendance: 7,773 Referee: Andy Davies |
23 January 2016 27 | Port Vale | 1β1 | Bradford City | Burslem |
15:00 GMT |
Leitch-Smith ![]() |
Report |
Proctor ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,849 Referee: Lee Swabey |
26 January 2016 28 | Doncaster Rovers | 1β2 | Port Vale | Doncaster |
19:45 GMT |
Evina ![]() |
Report |
Leitch-Smith ![]() |
Stadium:
Keepmoat Stadium Attendance: 4,799 Referee: Geoff Eltringham |
30 January 2016 29 | Wigan Athletic | 3β0 | Port Vale | Wigan |
15:00 GMT |
Duffy ![]() Grigg ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
DW Stadium Attendance: 9,627 Referee: Darren Drysdale |
2 February 2016 30 | Port Vale | 1β0 | Swindon Town | Burslem |
19:45 GMT |
Dickinson ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 3,256 Referee: Peter Bankes |
7 February 2016 31 | Port Vale | 1β1 | Coventry City | Burslem |
14:00 GMT |
Kelly ![]() |
Report |
Murphy ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 6,320 Referee: Phil Gibbs |
13 February 2016 32 | Port Vale | 0β0 | Fleetwood Town | Burslem |
15:00 GMT | Report | Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,194 Referee: Charles Breakspear |
20 February 2016 33 | Sheffield United | 1β0 | Port Vale | Sheffield |
15:00 GMT |
Sharp ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Bramall Lane Attendance: 18,276 Referee: Ben Toner |
26 February 2016 34 | Port Vale | 3β1 | Southend United | Burslem |
19:45 GMT |
Dickinson ![]() O'Connor ![]() Coker ![]() |
Report |
McQueen ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 3,957 Referee: Andy Haines |
1 March 2016 35 | Oldham Athletic | 1β1 | Port Vale | Oldham |
19:45 GMT |
Kelly ![]() |
Report |
Foley ![]() |
Stadium:
Boundary Park Attendance: 3,507 Referee: Darren Handley |
5 March 2016 36 | Port Vale | 2β0 | Colchester United | Burslem |
15:00 GMT |
Robinson ![]() Foley ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,116 Referee: Jeremy Simpson |
12 March 2016 37 | Peterborough United | 2β3 | Port Vale | Peterborough |
15:00 GMT |
Taylor ![]() Williams ![]() |
Report |
Moore ![]() Hooper ![]() Dodds ![]() |
Stadium:
London Road Stadium Attendance: 4,942 Referee: Darren Bond |
19 March 2016 38 | Port Vale | 0β4 | Burton Albion | Burslem |
15:00 GMT | Report |
Akins ![]() Grant ![]() Duffy ![]() Butcher ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 6,157 Referee: Eddie Ilderton |
25 March 2016 39 | Shrewsbury Town | 1β1 | Port Vale | Shrewsbury |
15:00 GMT |
Kaikai ![]() |
Report |
Dodds ![]() |
Stadium:
New Meadow Attendance: 7,019 Referee: Mark Heywood |
28 March 2016 40 | Port Vale | 0β1 | Barnsley | Burslem |
15:00 BST | Report |
Hourihane ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,839 Referee: Scott Duncan |
2 April 2016 41 | Chesterfield | 4β2 | Port Vale | Chesterfield |
15:00 BST |
Campbell-Ryce ![]() Hird ![]() Ariyibi ![]() O'Shea ![]() |
Report |
Leitch-Smith ![]() Hooper ![]() |
Stadium:
Proact Stadium Attendance: 5,917 Referee: Kevin Wright |
9 April 2016 42 | Port Vale | 3β0 | Crewe Alexandra | Burslem |
15:00 BST |
Dodds ![]() Hooper ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 5,771 Referee: Paul Tierney |
16 April 2016 43 | Gillingham | 0β2 | Port Vale | Gillingham, Kent |
15:00 BST | Report |
Leitch-Smith ![]() Dickinson ![]() |
Stadium:
Priestfield Stadium Attendance: 5,887 Referee: Ross Joyce |
23 April 2016 44 | Port Vale | 4β1 | Rochdale | Burslem |
15:00 BST |
Robinson ![]() O'Connor ![]() Hooper ![]() |
Report |
Andrew ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,380 Referee: Nick Kinseley |
30 April 2016 45 | Scunthorpe United | 1β0 | Port Vale | Scunthorpe |
15:00 BST |
Madden ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Glanford Park Attendance: 7,275 Referee: Ben Toner |
8 May 2016 46 | Port Vale | 0β5 | Walsall | Burslem |
15:00 BST | Report |
Downing ![]() Bradshaw ![]() Forde ![]() Mantom ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 8,595 Referee: Nigel Miller |
8 November 2015 1 | Port Vale | 1β1 | Maidenhead United | Burslem |
15:00 |
Moore ![]() |
Report |
Mulley ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 3,977 Referee: Adrian Holmes |
19 November 2015 Replay | Maidenhead United | 1β3 | Port Vale | Maidenhead |
19:45 | Massey ![]() |
Report |
O'Connor ![]() Leitch-Smith ![]() |
Stadium:
York Road Attendance: 2,212 Referee: Dean Whitestone |
6 December 2015 2 | Exeter City | 2β0 | Port Vale | Exeter |
14:00 |
Tillson ![]() Watkins ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
St James Park Attendance: 3,565 Referee: Trevor Kettle |
10 August 2015 1 | Port Vale | 1β0 | Burnley | Burslem |
19:45 BST |
Moore ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,634 Referee: Trevor Kettle |
25 August 2015 2 | West Bromwich Albion | 0β0 (5β3 p) | Port Vale | West Bromwich |
20:00 BST | Report | Stadium:
The Hawthorns Attendance: 13,915 Referee: Keith Stroud | ||
Penalties | ||||
Lambert ![]() Yacob ![]() McManaman ![]() McClean ![]() Chester ![]() |
Leitch-Smith ![]() Duffy ![]() Purkiss ![]() Foley ![]() |
1 September 2015 1 | Port Vale | 1β0 | Carlisle United | Burslem |
19:45 BST |
Ikpeazu ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 2,571 Referee: Darren England |
6 October 2015 2 | Port Vale | 1β2 | Blackpool | Burslem |
19:45 BST |
Grant ![]() |
Report |
Rivers ![]() Robertson ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 2,720 Referee: Mark Heywood |
Pos. | # | Name | League One | FA Cup | League Cup | Football League Trophy | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
GK | 1 |
![]() |
6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
DF | 2 |
![]() |
39 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 45 | 0 | |
DF | 3 |
![]() |
44 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 50 | 3 | |
DF | 4 |
![]() |
13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 0 | |
DF | 5 |
![]() |
28 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 32 | 0 | |
DF | 6 |
![]() |
45 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 52 | 0 | |
MF | 7 |
![]() |
10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 2 | |
MF | 8 |
![]() |
26 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 5 | |
FW | 10 |
![]() |
37 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 44 | 8 | |
MF | 11 |
![]() |
45 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 6 | |
GK | 12 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
MF | 14 |
![]() |
20 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 25 | 2 | |
FW | 15 |
![]() |
28 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 5 | |
DF | 16 |
![]() |
11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |
MF | 17 |
![]() |
13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 0 | |
MF | 18 |
![]() |
28 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 3 | |
MF | 19 |
![]() |
36 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 5 | |
FW | 20 |
![]() |
37 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 43 | 12 | |
GK | 21 |
![]() |
41 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 48 | 0 | |
MF | 22 |
![]() |
5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
GK | 23 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
DF | 24 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
FW | 25 |
![]() |
14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 | |
DF | 26 |
![]() |
15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | |
MF | 27 |
![]() |
12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 1 | |
FW | 28 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
FW | 30 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
MF | 31 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
DF | 32 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
MF | 33 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
FW | 34 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
MF | 35 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
MF | 42 |
![]() |
38 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 45 | 2 | |
Players that left the club mid-season: | |||||||||||||
FW | 9 |
![]() |
21 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 28 | 6 | |
MF | 9 |
![]() |
12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |
MF | 25 |
![]() |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
DF | 38 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Place | Position | Nation | Number | Name | League One | FA Cup | League Cup | Football League Trophy | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | FW | ![]() |
20 | A-Jay Leitch-Smith | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
2 | FW | ![]() |
10 | Louis Dodds | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
3 | MF | ![]() |
11 | Sam Foley | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
β | FW | ![]() |
9 | Uche Ikpeazu | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
5 | MF | ![]() |
15 | JJ Hooper | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
β | MF | ![]() |
19 | Byron Moore | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
β | MF | ![]() |
8 | Michael O'Connor | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
8 | MF | ![]() |
3 | Carl Dickinson | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
β | MF | ![]() |
18 | Sam Kelly | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
10 | MF | ![]() |
7 | Chris Birchall | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
β | MF | ![]() |
14 | Colin Daniel | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
β | MF | ![]() |
42 | Anthony Grant | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
β | FW | ![]() |
25 | Theo Robinson | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
14 | MF | ![]() |
27 | Enoch Andoh | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
β | β | β | Own goals | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
TOTALS | 56 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 63 |
Number | Nation | Position | Name | League One | FA Cup | League Cup | League Trophy | Total | |||||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | ![]() |
DF | Carl Dickinson | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
9 | ![]() |
FW | Uche Ikpeazu | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
5 | ![]() |
DF | Ryan McGivern | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
42 | ![]() |
MF | Anthony Grant | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
6 | ![]() |
DF | Richard Duffy | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
11 | ![]() |
MF | Sam Foley | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
8 | ![]() |
MF | Michael O'Connor | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
21 | ![]() |
GK | Jak Alnwick | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
18 | ![]() |
MF | Sam Kelly | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
2 | ![]() |
DF | Ben Purkiss | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
4 | ![]() |
DF | Remie Streete | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
14 | ![]() |
MF | Colin Daniel | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
26 | ![]() |
DF | Ryan Inniss | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
9 | ![]() |
MF | Matty Kennedy | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
7 | ![]() |
MF | Chris Birchall | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
17 | ![]() |
MF | Michael Brown | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
15 | ![]() |
FW | JJ Hooper | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
20 | ![]() |
FW | A-Jay Leitch-Smith | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
25 | ![]() |
MF | Jak McCourt | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
19 | ![]() |
MF | Byron Moore | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
TOTALS | 71 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 86 | 3 |
Sourced from Soccerway. [98]
End of Season Awards | Winner [99] |
---|---|
Player of the Year | Anthony Grant |
Away Travel Player of the Year | Louis Dodds |
Supporters' Club's Trophy | Anthony Grant |
Players' Player of the Year | Anthony Grant |
Young Player of the Year | Jak Alnwick |
Youth Player of the Year | Dan Turner |
Goal of the Season | Sam Kelly (vs Coventry City, 7 February 2016) |
Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Fee | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 July 2015 | MF |
![]() |
Sam Foley | Yeovil Town | Free transfer | [5] |
1 July 2015 | MF |
![]() |
Anthony Grant | Crewe Alexandra | Free transfer | [6] |
1 July 2015 | MF |
![]() |
Sam Kelly | Norwich City | Free transfer | [4] |
1 July 2015 | DF |
![]() |
Ben Purkiss | Walsall | Free transfer | [6] |
1 July 2015 | DF |
![]() |
Remie Streete | Newcastle United | Free transfer | [4] |
20 July 2015 | FW |
![]() |
A-Jay Leitch-Smith | Yeovil Town | Free transfer | [8] |
6 August 2015 | GK |
![]() |
Jak Alnwick | Newcastle United | Free transfer | [10] |
10 August 2015 | FW |
![]() |
JJ Hooper | Havant & Waterlooville | Β£8,400 (compensation) | [100] |
25 January 2016 | FW |
![]() |
Theo Robinson |
![]() |
Free transfer | [44] |
Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Fee | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
29 January 2016 | DF |
![]() |
Aziz Deen-Conteh |
![]() |
Released | [101] [102] |
8 May 2016 | FW |
![]() |
Achille Campion |
![]() |
Released | [103] |
13 May 2016 | DF |
![]() |
Lewis Bergin | Newcastle Town | Released | [104] |
13 May 2016 | FW |
![]() |
Colin Daniel | Blackpool | Released | [105] |
13 May 2016 | FW |
![]() |
Jonathon Kapend | Nantwich Town | Released | [106] |
13 May 2016 | DF |
![]() |
Ryan McGivern | Shrewsbury Town | Released | [107] |
13 May 2016 | GK |
![]() |
Chris Neal | Fleetwood Town | Released | [108] |
13 May 2016 | MF |
![]() |
Chekaine Steele | Worcester City | Released | [66] [109] |
13 May 2016 | FW |
![]() |
Theo Robinson | Lincoln City | Released | [110] |
26 May 2016 | FW |
![]() |
Louis Dodds | Shrewsbury Town | Rejected contract | [68] |
27 May 2016 | DF |
![]() |
Richard Duffy | Eastleigh | Rejected contract | [69] |
27 May 2016 | MF |
![]() |
Michael O'Connor | Notts County | Rejected contract | [111] |
31 May 2016 | FW |
![]() |
A-Jay Leitch-Smith | Shrewsbury Town | Rejected contract | [107] |
17 June 2016 | FW |
![]() |
Byron Moore | Bristol Rovers | Rejected contract | [112] |
23 June 2016 | DF |
![]() |
Carl Dickinson | Notts County | Rejected contract | [113] |
1 July 2016 | MF |
![]() |
Chris Birchall | Kidsgrove Athletic | Rejected contract | [114] |
5 July 2016 | MF |
![]() |
Enoch Andoh | Whitehawk | Rejected contract | [72] |
Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Date until | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
13 July 2015 | FW |
![]() |
Uche Ikpeazu | Watford | 2 January 2016 | [7] |
27 July 2015 | DF |
![]() |
Ryan Inniss | Crystal Palace | End of season | [9] |
28 August 2015 | MF |
![]() |
Jak McCourt | Leicester City | 26 September 2015 | [16] |
25 January 2016 | MF |
![]() |
Matty Kennedy | Cardiff City | 7 April 2016 | [115] |
Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Date until | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
27 July 2015 | DF |
![]() |
Nathan Smith | Torquay United | End of season | [116] |
11 August 2015 | DF |
![]() |
Aziz Deen-Conteh | Boston United | 12 September 2015 | [117] |
24 August 2015 | DF |
![]() |
Adam Yates | Northampton Town | 8 September 2015 | [118] |
25 August 2015 | DF |
![]() |
Lewis Bergin | Kidsgrove Athletic | End of season | [119] |
28 August 2015 | FW |
![]() |
Jonathon Kapend | Stafford Rangers | 26 September 2015 | [120] |
28 August 2015 | MF |
![]() |
Chekaine Steele | Buxton | 26 September 2015 | [120] |
11 September 2015 | MF |
![]() |
Omar Haughton | Newcastle Town | 9 October 2015 | [121] |
29 October 2015 | FW |
![]() |
Achille Campion | Torquay United | 29 November 2015 | [122] |
6 November 2015 | MF |
![]() |
Billy Reeves | Witton Albion | 6 February 2016 | [123] |
24 November 2015 | MF |
![]() |
Ryan Lloyd | Chester | End of season | [124] |
27 November 2015 | GK |
![]() |
Sam Johnson | F.C. Halifax Town | End of season | [125] |
29 January 2016 | MF |
![]() |
Omar Haughton | Leek Town | End of season | [126] |
29 January 2016 | MF |
![]() |
Chekaine Steele | Witton Albion | 27 February 2016 | [127] |
1 February 2016 | GK |
![]() |
Chris Neal | Doncaster Rovers | 20 February 2016 | [128] |
12 February 2016 | FW |
![]() |
Jonathon Kapend | Kidsgrove Athletic | 12 March 2016 | [129] |
12 February 2016 | MF |
![]() |
Billy Reeves | Hyde United | 12 March 2016 | [129] |
23 February 2016 | FW |
![]() |
Colin Daniel | Mansfield Town | End of season | [130] |
18 March 2016 | GK |
![]() |
Chris Neal | Bury | End of season | [131] |
2015β16 season | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Chairman | Norman Smurthwaite | |||
Manager | Rob Page | |||
Stadium | Vale Park | |||
Football League One | 12th (65 points) | |||
FA Cup | Second Round (knocked out by Exeter City) | |||
League Cup | Second Round (knocked out by West Bromwich Albion) | |||
Football League Trophy | Second Round (knocked out by Blackpool) | |||
Player of the Year | Anthony Grant | |||
Top goalscorer | League:
A-Jay Leitch-Smith (10) All: A-Jay Leitch-Smith (12) | |||
Highest home attendance | 6,822 vs. Sheffield United, 3 October 2015 | |||
Lowest home attendance | 2,571 vs. Carlisle United, 1 September 2015 | |||
Average home league attendance | 4,993 | |||
Biggest win | 3β0 (twice) and 4β1 (once) | |||
Biggest defeat | 0β5 vs. Walsall, 8 May 2016 | |||
| ||||
The 2015β16 season was Port Vale's 104th season of football in the English Football League, and third-successive season in League One. It was manager Rob Page's first full season in management. The season covers the period from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016.
Chairman Norman Smurthwaite announced a cut in the wage bill. He reduced contract offers for many out-of-contract players, which led to Mark Marshall, Ben Williamson and top-scorer Tom Pope leaving the club on free transfers after rejecting contract offers. A new youth policy was unveiled, and eight free agents, five youth team players and two loan players were signed at the start of the campaign. They made an encouraging start to the campaign, with new names Enoch Andoh and Jak Alnwick impressing, beating Championship side Burnley in the League Cup before going out on penalties to Premier League club West Bromwich Albion. However, a poor defeat in the Second Round of the FA Cup to League Two side Exeter City cost the club a lucrative Third Round tie with Liverpool and prompted Smurthwaite to put the club up for sale officially.
Vale remained positioned between 13th and 8th from November onwards, and realistic hopes of a play-off position were ended after a run of just one point from four games from 19 March. They ended this run of poor form by relegating local rivals Crewe Alexandra on 2 April. They were reliant on loan striker Uche Ikpeazu for goals early in the campaign before Louis Dodds and A-Jay Leitch-Smith, in particular, found scoring form in the latter half of the season.
Five youth team players were given professional contracts for the 2015β16 season: defender Lewis Bergin, midfielders Chekaine Steele, Billy Reeves and Omar Haughton, and striker Jonathon Kapend. [1] Manager Rob Page signed a new two-year contract in May 2015. [2] However, he needed to avoid a poor start to the season as chairman Norman Smurthwaite warned he was prepared to make "ruthless decisions" if the club were struggling by September. [3] The first signings of the season were powerful former loanee defender Remie Streete from Newcastle United, and former Norwich City youth player Sam Kelly. [4] Midfielder Sam Foley also joined the "Valiants" on a two-year contract, choosing to leave relegated Yeovil Town just after picking up Yeovil's Player of the Year award. [5] Page further strengthened the defence and midfield by signing Walsall right-back Ben Purkiss and Crewe Alexandra defensive midfielder Anthony Grant. [6] Page needed to find a cost-effective forward with the club both short on strikers following the departure of Tom Pope and Ben Williamson and with little funds available due to a large cut to the wage bill, and so brought in young Watford striker Uche Ikpeazu on loan, having been impressed by Ikpeazu's performances for Crewe last season. [7] Another former Crewe favourite, A-Jay Leitch-Smith, was also signed after impressing Page during pre-season. [8] The eighth and final summer signing was Ryan Inniss, who was confirmed as joining on a season-long loan from Crystal Palace after being linked with a return to Vale Park for many weeks. [9] On 6 August, Vale signed goalkeeper Jak Alnwick on a short-term deal; he was signed to compete with Sam Johnson for a first-team place as Chris Neal was out injured at the start of the season. [10]
The season opened with the derby against Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road, and the game ended 0β0 with eight players making their debuts for Vale; Crewe boss Steve Davis admitted Vale were the better team and had man of the match goalkeeper Ben Garratt to thank for the clean sheet. [11] Two days later a third former Newcastle United Academy graduate arrived in striker JJ Hooper, who had scored 20 goals in 29 games the previous season for Havant & Waterlooville. [12] The unbeaten start continued with a 1β1 draw with Gillingham, Louis Dodds scoring the equalising goal to secure the point. [13] An injury-time penalty from Sam Foley then rescued a point away at Swindon Town as Vale twice came from behind against an attractive Swindon side; the penalty was awarded in bizarre circumstances as Jordan Williams handled the ball from a corner to try and stop the game after seeing a teammate lying injured on the pitch. [14] Vale then cruised to a comfortable 3β0 home victory over Doncaster Rovers despite Foley missing a penalty early in the game. [15] Yet another player arrived in the form of central midfielder Jak McCourt, signed on a one-month loan from Leicester City. [16] The unbeaten start to the season came to an end at Bradford City when Devante Cole scored the only goal of the game four minutes into stoppage time. [17]
Vale let slip a two-goal lead over Wigan Athletic on 12 September, but Ikpeazu managed to claim all three points for Vale after Wigan's equalising goalscorer Leon Barnett was sent off for bringing down Andoh. [18] Millwall were the next visitors to Vale Park, and like Wigan had been relegated from the Championship the previous season, but unlike Wigan managed to beat the Vale 2β0 with a professional performance. [19] Vale then travelled to Bury and slipped to a 1β0 defeat in a poor game that was decided by a set-piece. [20] Vale came from behind at Fleetwood Town to win 2β1 after Page substituted top-scorer Ikpeazu for Colin Daniel, who went on to score the equalising goal. [21] The situation was reversed at home to Oldham Athletic, Ikpeazu coming off the bench to secure a point against the division's away draw specialists, though Page again bemoaned his team's habit of conceding form set pieces. [22]
Vale put in a highly impressive performance to defeat Sheffield United 2β1 and climb to within one point of the play-off places. [23] They failed to build on the result however, falling to a 1β0 loss at Southend United; Phil Brown said the Southend performance was the best he had seen as Southend manager. [24] The story before the Peterborough United game was that Jak Alnwick was to line up against his elder brother Ben Alnwick, though the headlines after the game focused on Vale's penalty takers, as Michael O'Connor marked his return from injury by missing a penalty and central midfield partner Foley later missed a second penalty in the game to squander two points in what ended as a 1β1 draw. [25] Vale then had a tough mid-week game at Colchester United, and lost 2β1 after suffering two injuries in the first half. [26] More significantly Andoh suffered damage to his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and was ruled out for the rest of the season. [27] Ikpeazu was sent off 25 minutes into Vale's trip to high-flying Burton Albion, but ironically it was only after the hosts also went down to ten men late into the game that Vale conceded two goals to lose 2β0. [28] Vale ended a poor October with a 2β0 home victory over Shrewsbury Town. [29]
On 14 November, Vale picked up all three points at Oakwell after a 2β1 victory over Barnsley. [30] Less than 40 hours after their FA Cup first round victory, Vale then had a home fixture against Chesterfield on a snow covered pitch, but managed to put in a high quality performance and claim a 3β2 win. [31] Their home game against Blackpool was the players' third game in five days, but they showed no signs of fatigue as two late goals secured a 2β0 victory. [32] They failed to end the month unbeaten however, as they fell to a 2β1 defeat at Rochdale; after the game Page said he was "gobsmacked" by the referee's key decisions to award Rochdale a penalty when Carl Dickinson had "definitely taken the ball", to deny Vale a penalty after Ikpeazu was "absolutely poleaxed" in the penalty box, and to send Dickinson off when he "hasn't touched the lad at all and the lad goes down like he has been shot." [33] Page was nominated for the League One Manager of the Month award. [34]
Despite revelations off-the-pitch and a disappointing FA Cup exit, Vale kept their league form steady on 12 December with a 1β1 home draw with Scunthorpe United. [35] However, they then came away from a trip to high-flying Walsall with a 2β0 defeat in a game that typified the team's unsuccessful negative tactics away from home. [36] Captain Carl Dickinson defended the team's record however, stating that negative fans who booed should "shut up and get behind the team". [37] A trip to the Ricoh Arena on boxing day to face Coventry City seemed to be heading for a goalless draw until Coventry took the lead ten minutes from full-time, leaving Page to rue his team's missed opportunities in the first half. [38] Vale ended the year with a 1β0 home win over Bury, maintaining their excellent form at Vale Park. [39]
A waterlogged pitch meant Vale had to wait until a trip to Blackpool on 9 January to open the year, and Vale managed to continue their good form with a hard-earned 1β0 victory, Leitch-Smith the goalscorer. [40] Their away form remained poor however, as they were well beaten at Millwall on 17 January. [41] The team were then booed off after surrendering a 1β0 lead over ten man Bradford to draw 1β1. [42] Page then entered the transfer market, bringing in Jamaica international striker Theo Robinson and taking Cardiff City winger Matty Kennedy on a one-month loan (which was later extended by two months [43]). [44] Kennedy started the next game, as Leitch-Smith scored both of Vale's goals in a 2β1 win over Doncaster Rovers. [45] However, Vale ended the month with a 3β0 defeat at Wigan following a first-half red card for Ryan McGivern. [46]
Vale began February just a point outside the play-offs after recording what Page described as an "ugly" 1β0 win over Swindon. [47] Vale then outplayed Coventry, but needed a sensational goal from Sam Kelly to win a point and a 1β1 draw. [48] Vale then rounded off a series of three successive home games with a 0β0 draw with Fleetwood. [49] Injury to Alnwick meant that Neal was recalled from his loan spell at Doncaster Rovers for the trip to Sheffield United, which ended in a 1β0 defeat from a Billy Sharp goal. [50] They ended the month with an impressive 3β1 home win over Southend to remain in touch with the play-off places. [51]
Struggling Oldham held Vale to a 1β1 draw on 1 March, having lost their slender lead to a disputed penalty. [52] A 2β0 home win over bottom-club Colchester kept the Vale in touch of the play-offs. [53] The season appeared to be petering out as Vale trailed by 2β0 at half-time at Peterborough, but they turned the game around completely in the second half to claim a 3β2 victory. [54] Page praised the character of his players after revealing eight players had paid to stay in a local hotel the night before to save travelling on the day. [55] However, the next game saw Page apologizing to the fans after league leaders Burton ended Vale's 14-game unbeaten league run at home with a 4β0 win. [56] Vale were heading for a 1β0 victory over Shrewsbury when a late error from Alnwick allowed Sullay Kaikai's long-distance strike to become an equalizing goal. [57] A 1β0 home defeat to play-off chasing Barnsley then ended any realistic hopes of a play-off place for the Vale. [58]
On 2 April, Port Vale collapsed away at Chesterfield, losing a convincing 1β0 half-time lead to lose 4β2; Page described the performance as "embarrassing" and "not acceptable". [59] Seven days later Vale went on to relegate nearby Crewe Alexandra with a comfortable 3β0 home victory, Dodds scoring a brace and Hooper claiming one goal. [60] Vale went on to record a 2β0 win at sixth-place Gillingham using a 3β5β2 formation with McGivern, Streete, and Richard Duffy operating as central defenders. [61] The winning run continued with a comfortable 4β1 victory over Rochdale, before coming to an end with a 1β0 defeat at Scunthorpe. [62] [63] Walsall inflicted a heavy 5β0 on Vale on the final game of the season. [64]
Page offered new contracts to 13 out-of-contract players, and opted to release nine players: Lewis Bergin, Achille Campion, Colin Daniel, Omar Haughton (who was later re-signed after Page departed [65]), Jonathon Kapend, Ryan McGivern, Chris Neal, Chekaine Steele, and Theo Robinson. [66] However, Page himself would not stay to see any of these contracts signed, as he left the club to take charge at newly- promoted Northampton Town. [67] The first player to leave the club after rejecting a contract was Louis Dodds, who joined league rivals Shrewsbury Town. [68] He was quickly followed by Richard Duffy, who dropped down two divisions to join National League club Eastleigh. [69] Star midfielder Michael O'Connor, top-scorer A-Jay Leitch-Smith, and club captain Carl Dickinson also confirmed that they would be leaving the club after rejecting the club's new contract offer. [70] [71] The last to leave was Enoch Andoh, who could not agree terms with the club despite protracted negotiations. [72]
Chairman Norman Smurthwaite stated that due to falling gate figures the club's wage bill would be cut for the 2015β16 season, meaning a severely reduced contract offer for star striker Tom Pope, who chose to leave the club. [73] In a statement released in March 2017, Smurthwaite stated that on 10 November 2015 he was approached by an American hedge fund consortium who were looking to buy the club. [74] He further stated that a local business also approached the club secretary to purchase the club behind Smurthwaite's back. [74] Following the club's FA Cup exit Smurthwaite officially put the club up for sale, saying that he felt "humiliated, ashamed and embarrassed" after witnessing the team's performance. [75] He set an asking price of Β£4.25 million, stating "I have never lost money on a transaction in my adult life and I am not starting now". [76] He also stated that plans to sign a striker in the January transfer window would be scrapped. [77] He continued to reveal that he had been physically assaulted by three Vale supporters in April 2014, though Staffordshire Police could find no record of Smurthwaite's complaint. [78] He also admitted that he had been planning on buying Torquay United before being told by the Football League that he would not be allowed to own two clubs. [79] He further claimed that he had considered appointing Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink as manager in September 2014, but decided against it partly because he believed that a racist minority of the club's supporters would make appointing a black manager a bad idea. [80]
"I just feel I have let the club down because I have tried to do everything myself which meant cut costs to put every available penny on to the pitch. Clearly that must be wrong because yesterday if the players had put the same amount of effort into playing as I do into paying them every month we would have knocked that club for six."
β Smurthwaite became disillusioned with the club following the FA Cup defeat. [81]
Smurthwaite signed an exclusivity deal with a local company in February 2016. [82] [74] He said that if the club were not sold than next season's budget would be slashed by Β£800,000 and the playing squad would be reduced; Page said that Smurthwaite's comments were "unwelcome". [83] Ben Purkiss admitted that Smurthwaite's threat to cut player's wages by 40% had a destabilising effect on the squad. [84] The exclusivity agreement ended in early March, with the club back on general sale. [85] Smurthwaite said this was because the company had significantly reduced their offer and admitted that they needed to find further finances to conclude the deal. [74] A consortium from Boston, USA then signed an exclusivity deal on 14 March. [74] Smurthwaite ended the negotiations after finding that the investors had no working capital. [74] Port Vale owed Norman Smurthwaite Β£3 million as a director's loan at the end of June 2016. [86]
Vale's first opponents in the FA Cup were Maidenhead United of the National League South, who came back from Byron Moore's first half opener to bring about a replay after a stoppage time equaliser. [87] An upset seemed on the cards in the replay when Maidenhead took the lead, but Vale gradually took control of the game and A-Jay Leitch-Smith scored a brace in an eventual 3β1 victory. [88] Smurthwaite was rumoured to have planned to sack Page live on BT Sport if the club lost the game, though he dismissed the rumour as untrue. [89] A trip to mid-table League Two side Exeter City awaited in the second Round, and an all-round "hugely disappointing performance" resulted in a 2β0 defeat. [90] After the game Smurthwaite and Page had a heated confrontation on the pitch, leading to speculation on the manager's future. [91] Had Vale beaten Exeter then they would have had a lucrative home tie with Liverpool in the Third Round. [92]
In the League Cup First Round Vale hosted Burnley, who had been relegated from the Premier League the previous season; Byron Moore scored the only goal of the game on 82 minutes. [93] The Second Round draw took them to Premier League side West Bromwich Albion, and Vale held Tony Pulis's side to a 0β0 draw until the end of extra time before losing the penalty shoot-out. [94]
Vale hosted League Two side Carlisle United in the First Round of the Football League Trophy, and Page named the strongest side at his disposal whilst "Blues" boss Keith Curle left top-scorer Jabo Ibehre on the bench; Uche Ikpeazu scored the only goal of the game as a Vale booked their place in the Second Round. [95] Despite naming a strong team at home to struggling Blackpool, who made eight changes, Page was angered with the team for their performance as they crashed out at the Second round with a 2β1 defeat. [96]
11 July 2015 | Newcastle Town | 0β3 | Port Vale | Newcastle-under-Lyme |
14:30 BST | Report |
Daniel ![]() Brown ![]() Campion ![]() |
Stadium: Lyme Valley Stadium Attendance: 1,612 |
14 July 2015 | Alsager Town | 2β5 | Port Vale | Alsager |
19:30 BST | Hill ![]() Johnson ![]() |
Report |
Moore ![]() O'Connor ![]() Andoh ![]() Daniel ![]() Campion ![]() |
Stadium: Wood Park Stadium |
15 July 2015 | Kidsgrove Athletic | 0β5 | Port Vale | Kidsgrove |
19:30 BST | Report |
Daniel ![]() McGivern ![]() Birchall ![]() Leitch-Smith ![]() |
Stadium: The Novus Stadium Attendance: 818 |
21 July 2015 | Port Vale | 2β1 | Notts County | Burslem |
19:30 BST |
Dickinson ![]() Dodds ![]() |
Report |
Stead ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 768 |
25 July 2015 | Port Vale | 2β2 | Getafe | Burslem |
15:00 BST |
Leitch-Smith ![]() |
Report |
Wanderson Campos ![]() Villameuela ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 1,652 |
28 July 2015 | Port Vale | 1β2 | Bolton Wanderers | Burslem |
19:30 BST |
Foley ![]() |
Report |
Madine ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 1,288 |
1 August 2015 | Altrincham | 1β2 | Port Vale | Altrincham |
15:00 BST | Reeves ![]() |
Report |
Daniel ![]() Ikpeazu ![]() |
Stadium:
Moss Lane Attendance: 494 |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 | Rochdale | 46 | 19 | 12 | 15 | 68 | 61 | +7 | 69 |
11 | Sheffield United | 46 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 64 | 59 | +5 | 66 |
12 | Port Vale | 46 | 18 | 11 | 17 | 56 | 58 | −2 | 65 |
13 | Peterborough United | 46 | 19 | 6 | 21 | 82 | 73 | +9 | 63 |
14 | Southend United | 46 | 16 | 11 | 19 | 58 | 64 | −6 | 59 |
8 August 2015 1 | Crewe Alexandra | 0β0 | Port Vale | Crewe |
15:00 BST | Report | Stadium:
Gresty Road Attendance: 6,751 Referee: Dean Whitestone |
15 August 2015 2 | Port Vale | 1β1 | Gillingham | Burslem |
15:00 BST |
Dodds ![]() |
Report |
Dack ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 5,067 Referee: Fred Graham |
18 August 2015 3 | Swindon Town | 2β2 | Port Vale | Swindon |
19:45 BST |
Robert ![]() Rodgers ![]() |
Report |
Ikpeazu ![]() Foley ![]() |
Stadium:
County Ground Attendance: 7,026 Referee: Brendan Malone |
22 August 2015 4 | Port Vale | 3β0 | Doncaster Rovers | Burslem |
15:00 BST |
Foley ![]() Ikpeazu ![]() Moore ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,775 Referee: Robert Lewis |
29 August 2015 5 | Bradford City | 1β0 | Port Vale | Bradford |
15:00 BST |
Cole ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Valley Parade Attendance: 17,806 Referee: Jeremy Simpson |
12 September 2015 6 | Port Vale | 3β2 | Wigan Athletic | Burslem |
15:00 BST |
Grant ![]() Dodds ![]() Ikpeazu ![]() |
Report |
McCann ![]() Barnett ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 5,953 Referee: Mark Haywood |
15 September 2015 7 | Port Vale | 0β2 | Millwall | Burslem |
19:45 BST | Report |
Beevers ![]() Gregory ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,477 Referee: Oliver Langford |
19 September 2015 8 | Bury | 1β0 | Port Vale | Bury |
15:00 BST |
Cameron ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Gigg Lane Attendance: 4,323 Referee: Darren Drysdale |
26 September 2015 9 | Fleetwood Town | 1β2 | Port Vale | Fleetwood |
15:00 BST |
Grant ![]() |
Report |
Daniel ![]() Foley ![]() |
Stadium:
Highbury Stadium Attendance: 3,560 Referee: Seb Stockbridge |
29 September 2015 10 | Port Vale | 1β1 | Oldham Athletic | Burslem |
19:45 BST |
Ikpeazu ![]() |
Report |
Higdon ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,065 Referee: Kevin Johnson |
3 October 2015 11 | Port Vale | 2β1 | Sheffield United | Burslem |
15:00 BST |
Moore ![]() Ikpeazu ![]() |
Report |
Done ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 6,822 Referee: Graham Salisbury |
10 October 2015 12 | Southend United | 1β0 | Port Vale | Southend-on-Sea |
15:00 BST |
Pigott ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Roots Hall Attendance: 6,543 Referee: Iain Williamson |
17 October 2015 13 | Port Vale | 1β1 | Peterborough United | Burslem |
15:00 BST |
Andoh ![]() |
Report |
Bostwick ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,864 Referee: Richard Clark |
20 October 2015 14 | Colchester United | 2β1 | Port Vale | Colchester |
19:45 BST |
Elokobi ![]() Sordell ![]() |
Report |
Daniel ![]() |
Stadium:
Colchester Community Stadium Attendance: 2,785 Referee: Darren Deadman |
24 October 2015 15 | Burton Albion | 2β0 | Port Vale | Burton upon Trent |
15:00 BST |
Naylor ![]() El Khayati ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Pirelli Stadium Attendance: 4,076 Referee: David Coote |
31 October 2015 16 | Port Vale | 2β0 | Shrewsbury Town | Burslem |
15:00 GMT |
Dodds ![]() O'Connor ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,880 Referee: Darren Handley |
14 November 2015 17 | Barnsley | 1β2 | Port Vale | Barnsley |
15:00 GMT |
Winnall ![]() |
Report |
Leitch-Smith ![]() Foley ![]() |
Stadium:
Oakwell Attendance: 8,696 Referee: Tony Harrington |
21 November 2015 18 | Port Vale | 3β2 | Chesterfield | Burslem |
15:00 GMT |
Kelly ![]() Leitch-Smith ![]() Dodds ![]() |
Report |
Simons ![]() Novak ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,420 Referee: Michael Bull |
24 November 2015 19 | Port Vale | 2β0 | Blackpool | Burslem |
19:45 GMT |
Leitch-Smith ![]() Birchall ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 3,640 Referee: David Webb |
28 November 2015 20 | Rochdale | 2β1 | Port Vale | Rochdale |
15:00 GMT |
Henderson ![]() Mendez-Laing ![]() |
Report |
Birchall ![]() |
Stadium:
Spotland Stadium Attendance: 2,510 Referee: Darren England |
12 December 2015 21 | Port Vale | 1β1 | Scunthorpe United | Burslem |
15:00 GMT |
Leitch-Smith ![]() |
Report |
King ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 3,983 Referee: Lee Collins |
20 December 2015 22 | Walsall | 2β0 | Port Vale | Walsall |
12:00 GMT |
Cook ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Bescot Stadium Referee: Kevin Wright |
26 December 2015 23 | Coventry City | 1β0 | Port Vale | Coventry |
15:00 GMT |
Maddison ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Ricoh Arena Attendance: 17,779 Referee: Robert Lewis |
28 December 2015 24 | Port Vale | 1β0 | Bury | Burslem |
15:00 GMT |
Kelly ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 5,467 Referee: James Adcock |
9 January 2016 25 | Blackpool | 0β1 | Port Vale | Blackpool |
15:00 GMT | Report |
Leitch-Smith ![]() |
Stadium:
Bloomfield Road Attendance: 6,527 Referee: Seb Stockbridge |
17 January 2016 26 | Millwall | 3β1 | Port Vale | New Cross |
15:00 GMT |
Gregory ![]() Morison ![]() |
Report |
Hooper ![]() |
Stadium:
The Den Attendance: 7,773 Referee: Andy Davies |
23 January 2016 27 | Port Vale | 1β1 | Bradford City | Burslem |
15:00 GMT |
Leitch-Smith ![]() |
Report |
Proctor ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,849 Referee: Lee Swabey |
26 January 2016 28 | Doncaster Rovers | 1β2 | Port Vale | Doncaster |
19:45 GMT |
Evina ![]() |
Report |
Leitch-Smith ![]() |
Stadium:
Keepmoat Stadium Attendance: 4,799 Referee: Geoff Eltringham |
30 January 2016 29 | Wigan Athletic | 3β0 | Port Vale | Wigan |
15:00 GMT |
Duffy ![]() Grigg ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
DW Stadium Attendance: 9,627 Referee: Darren Drysdale |
2 February 2016 30 | Port Vale | 1β0 | Swindon Town | Burslem |
19:45 GMT |
Dickinson ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 3,256 Referee: Peter Bankes |
7 February 2016 31 | Port Vale | 1β1 | Coventry City | Burslem |
14:00 GMT |
Kelly ![]() |
Report |
Murphy ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 6,320 Referee: Phil Gibbs |
13 February 2016 32 | Port Vale | 0β0 | Fleetwood Town | Burslem |
15:00 GMT | Report | Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,194 Referee: Charles Breakspear |
20 February 2016 33 | Sheffield United | 1β0 | Port Vale | Sheffield |
15:00 GMT |
Sharp ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Bramall Lane Attendance: 18,276 Referee: Ben Toner |
26 February 2016 34 | Port Vale | 3β1 | Southend United | Burslem |
19:45 GMT |
Dickinson ![]() O'Connor ![]() Coker ![]() |
Report |
McQueen ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 3,957 Referee: Andy Haines |
1 March 2016 35 | Oldham Athletic | 1β1 | Port Vale | Oldham |
19:45 GMT |
Kelly ![]() |
Report |
Foley ![]() |
Stadium:
Boundary Park Attendance: 3,507 Referee: Darren Handley |
5 March 2016 36 | Port Vale | 2β0 | Colchester United | Burslem |
15:00 GMT |
Robinson ![]() Foley ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,116 Referee: Jeremy Simpson |
12 March 2016 37 | Peterborough United | 2β3 | Port Vale | Peterborough |
15:00 GMT |
Taylor ![]() Williams ![]() |
Report |
Moore ![]() Hooper ![]() Dodds ![]() |
Stadium:
London Road Stadium Attendance: 4,942 Referee: Darren Bond |
19 March 2016 38 | Port Vale | 0β4 | Burton Albion | Burslem |
15:00 GMT | Report |
Akins ![]() Grant ![]() Duffy ![]() Butcher ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 6,157 Referee: Eddie Ilderton |
25 March 2016 39 | Shrewsbury Town | 1β1 | Port Vale | Shrewsbury |
15:00 GMT |
Kaikai ![]() |
Report |
Dodds ![]() |
Stadium:
New Meadow Attendance: 7,019 Referee: Mark Heywood |
28 March 2016 40 | Port Vale | 0β1 | Barnsley | Burslem |
15:00 BST | Report |
Hourihane ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,839 Referee: Scott Duncan |
2 April 2016 41 | Chesterfield | 4β2 | Port Vale | Chesterfield |
15:00 BST |
Campbell-Ryce ![]() Hird ![]() Ariyibi ![]() O'Shea ![]() |
Report |
Leitch-Smith ![]() Hooper ![]() |
Stadium:
Proact Stadium Attendance: 5,917 Referee: Kevin Wright |
9 April 2016 42 | Port Vale | 3β0 | Crewe Alexandra | Burslem |
15:00 BST |
Dodds ![]() Hooper ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 5,771 Referee: Paul Tierney |
16 April 2016 43 | Gillingham | 0β2 | Port Vale | Gillingham, Kent |
15:00 BST | Report |
Leitch-Smith ![]() Dickinson ![]() |
Stadium:
Priestfield Stadium Attendance: 5,887 Referee: Ross Joyce |
23 April 2016 44 | Port Vale | 4β1 | Rochdale | Burslem |
15:00 BST |
Robinson ![]() O'Connor ![]() Hooper ![]() |
Report |
Andrew ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 4,380 Referee: Nick Kinseley |
30 April 2016 45 | Scunthorpe United | 1β0 | Port Vale | Scunthorpe |
15:00 BST |
Madden ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Glanford Park Attendance: 7,275 Referee: Ben Toner |
8 May 2016 46 | Port Vale | 0β5 | Walsall | Burslem |
15:00 BST | Report |
Downing ![]() Bradshaw ![]() Forde ![]() Mantom ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 8,595 Referee: Nigel Miller |
8 November 2015 1 | Port Vale | 1β1 | Maidenhead United | Burslem |
15:00 |
Moore ![]() |
Report |
Mulley ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 3,977 Referee: Adrian Holmes |
19 November 2015 Replay | Maidenhead United | 1β3 | Port Vale | Maidenhead |
19:45 | Massey ![]() |
Report |
O'Connor ![]() Leitch-Smith ![]() |
Stadium:
York Road Attendance: 2,212 Referee: Dean Whitestone |
6 December 2015 2 | Exeter City | 2β0 | Port Vale | Exeter |
14:00 |
Tillson ![]() Watkins ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
St James Park Attendance: 3,565 Referee: Trevor Kettle |
10 August 2015 1 | Port Vale | 1β0 | Burnley | Burslem |
19:45 BST |
Moore ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,634 Referee: Trevor Kettle |
25 August 2015 2 | West Bromwich Albion | 0β0 (5β3 p) | Port Vale | West Bromwich |
20:00 BST | Report | Stadium:
The Hawthorns Attendance: 13,915 Referee: Keith Stroud | ||
Penalties | ||||
Lambert ![]() Yacob ![]() McManaman ![]() McClean ![]() Chester ![]() |
Leitch-Smith ![]() Duffy ![]() Purkiss ![]() Foley ![]() |
1 September 2015 1 | Port Vale | 1β0 | Carlisle United | Burslem |
19:45 BST |
Ikpeazu ![]() |
Report | Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 2,571 Referee: Darren England |
6 October 2015 2 | Port Vale | 1β2 | Blackpool | Burslem |
19:45 BST |
Grant ![]() |
Report |
Rivers ![]() Robertson ![]() |
Stadium:
Vale Park Attendance: 2,720 Referee: Mark Heywood |
Pos. | # | Name | League One | FA Cup | League Cup | Football League Trophy | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
GK | 1 |
![]() |
6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
DF | 2 |
![]() |
39 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 45 | 0 | |
DF | 3 |
![]() |
44 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 50 | 3 | |
DF | 4 |
![]() |
13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 0 | |
DF | 5 |
![]() |
28 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 32 | 0 | |
DF | 6 |
![]() |
45 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 52 | 0 | |
MF | 7 |
![]() |
10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 2 | |
MF | 8 |
![]() |
26 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 5 | |
FW | 10 |
![]() |
37 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 44 | 8 | |
MF | 11 |
![]() |
45 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 6 | |
GK | 12 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
MF | 14 |
![]() |
20 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 25 | 2 | |
FW | 15 |
![]() |
28 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 5 | |
DF | 16 |
![]() |
11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |
MF | 17 |
![]() |
13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 0 | |
MF | 18 |
![]() |
28 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 3 | |
MF | 19 |
![]() |
36 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 5 | |
FW | 20 |
![]() |
37 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 43 | 12 | |
GK | 21 |
![]() |
41 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 48 | 0 | |
MF | 22 |
![]() |
5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
GK | 23 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
DF | 24 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
FW | 25 |
![]() |
14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 | |
DF | 26 |
![]() |
15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | |
MF | 27 |
![]() |
12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 1 | |
FW | 28 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
FW | 30 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
MF | 31 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
DF | 32 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
MF | 33 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
FW | 34 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
MF | 35 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
MF | 42 |
![]() |
38 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 45 | 2 | |
Players that left the club mid-season: | |||||||||||||
FW | 9 |
![]() |
21 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 28 | 6 | |
MF | 9 |
![]() |
12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |
MF | 25 |
![]() |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
DF | 38 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Place | Position | Nation | Number | Name | League One | FA Cup | League Cup | Football League Trophy | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | FW | ![]() |
20 | A-Jay Leitch-Smith | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
2 | FW | ![]() |
10 | Louis Dodds | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
3 | MF | ![]() |
11 | Sam Foley | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
β | FW | ![]() |
9 | Uche Ikpeazu | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
5 | MF | ![]() |
15 | JJ Hooper | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
β | MF | ![]() |
19 | Byron Moore | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
β | MF | ![]() |
8 | Michael O'Connor | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
8 | MF | ![]() |
3 | Carl Dickinson | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
β | MF | ![]() |
18 | Sam Kelly | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
10 | MF | ![]() |
7 | Chris Birchall | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
β | MF | ![]() |
14 | Colin Daniel | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
β | MF | ![]() |
42 | Anthony Grant | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
β | FW | ![]() |
25 | Theo Robinson | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
14 | MF | ![]() |
27 | Enoch Andoh | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
β | β | β | Own goals | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
TOTALS | 56 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 63 |
Number | Nation | Position | Name | League One | FA Cup | League Cup | League Trophy | Total | |||||
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | ![]() |
DF | Carl Dickinson | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
9 | ![]() |
FW | Uche Ikpeazu | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
5 | ![]() |
DF | Ryan McGivern | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
42 | ![]() |
MF | Anthony Grant | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
6 | ![]() |
DF | Richard Duffy | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
11 | ![]() |
MF | Sam Foley | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
8 | ![]() |
MF | Michael O'Connor | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
21 | ![]() |
GK | Jak Alnwick | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
18 | ![]() |
MF | Sam Kelly | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
2 | ![]() |
DF | Ben Purkiss | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
4 | ![]() |
DF | Remie Streete | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
14 | ![]() |
MF | Colin Daniel | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
26 | ![]() |
DF | Ryan Inniss | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
9 | ![]() |
MF | Matty Kennedy | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
7 | ![]() |
MF | Chris Birchall | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
17 | ![]() |
MF | Michael Brown | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
15 | ![]() |
FW | JJ Hooper | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
20 | ![]() |
FW | A-Jay Leitch-Smith | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
25 | ![]() |
MF | Jak McCourt | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
19 | ![]() |
MF | Byron Moore | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
TOTALS | 71 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 86 | 3 |
Sourced from Soccerway. [98]
End of Season Awards | Winner [99] |
---|---|
Player of the Year | Anthony Grant |
Away Travel Player of the Year | Louis Dodds |
Supporters' Club's Trophy | Anthony Grant |
Players' Player of the Year | Anthony Grant |
Young Player of the Year | Jak Alnwick |
Youth Player of the Year | Dan Turner |
Goal of the Season | Sam Kelly (vs Coventry City, 7 February 2016) |
Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Fee | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 July 2015 | MF |
![]() |
Sam Foley | Yeovil Town | Free transfer | [5] |
1 July 2015 | MF |
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Anthony Grant | Crewe Alexandra | Free transfer | [6] |
1 July 2015 | MF |
![]() |
Sam Kelly | Norwich City | Free transfer | [4] |
1 July 2015 | DF |
![]() |
Ben Purkiss | Walsall | Free transfer | [6] |
1 July 2015 | DF |
![]() |
Remie Streete | Newcastle United | Free transfer | [4] |
20 July 2015 | FW |
![]() |
A-Jay Leitch-Smith | Yeovil Town | Free transfer | [8] |
6 August 2015 | GK |
![]() |
Jak Alnwick | Newcastle United | Free transfer | [10] |
10 August 2015 | FW |
![]() |
JJ Hooper | Havant & Waterlooville | Β£8,400 (compensation) | [100] |
25 January 2016 | FW |
![]() |
Theo Robinson |
![]() |
Free transfer | [44] |
Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Fee | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
29 January 2016 | DF |
![]() |
Aziz Deen-Conteh |
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Released | [101] [102] |
8 May 2016 | FW |
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Achille Campion |
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Released | [103] |
13 May 2016 | DF |
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Lewis Bergin | Newcastle Town | Released | [104] |
13 May 2016 | FW |
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Colin Daniel | Blackpool | Released | [105] |
13 May 2016 | FW |
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Jonathon Kapend | Nantwich Town | Released | [106] |
13 May 2016 | DF |
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Ryan McGivern | Shrewsbury Town | Released | [107] |
13 May 2016 | GK |
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Chris Neal | Fleetwood Town | Released | [108] |
13 May 2016 | MF |
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Chekaine Steele | Worcester City | Released | [66] [109] |
13 May 2016 | FW |
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Theo Robinson | Lincoln City | Released | [110] |
26 May 2016 | FW |
![]() |
Louis Dodds | Shrewsbury Town | Rejected contract | [68] |
27 May 2016 | DF |
![]() |
Richard Duffy | Eastleigh | Rejected contract | [69] |
27 May 2016 | MF |
![]() |
Michael O'Connor | Notts County | Rejected contract | [111] |
31 May 2016 | FW |
![]() |
A-Jay Leitch-Smith | Shrewsbury Town | Rejected contract | [107] |
17 June 2016 | FW |
![]() |
Byron Moore | Bristol Rovers | Rejected contract | [112] |
23 June 2016 | DF |
![]() |
Carl Dickinson | Notts County | Rejected contract | [113] |
1 July 2016 | MF |
![]() |
Chris Birchall | Kidsgrove Athletic | Rejected contract | [114] |
5 July 2016 | MF |
![]() |
Enoch Andoh | Whitehawk | Rejected contract | [72] |
Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Date until | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
13 July 2015 | FW |
![]() |
Uche Ikpeazu | Watford | 2 January 2016 | [7] |
27 July 2015 | DF |
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Ryan Inniss | Crystal Palace | End of season | [9] |
28 August 2015 | MF |
![]() |
Jak McCourt | Leicester City | 26 September 2015 | [16] |
25 January 2016 | MF |
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Matty Kennedy | Cardiff City | 7 April 2016 | [115] |
Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Date until | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
27 July 2015 | DF |
![]() |
Nathan Smith | Torquay United | End of season | [116] |
11 August 2015 | DF |
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Aziz Deen-Conteh | Boston United | 12 September 2015 | [117] |
24 August 2015 | DF |
![]() |
Adam Yates | Northampton Town | 8 September 2015 | [118] |
25 August 2015 | DF |
![]() |
Lewis Bergin | Kidsgrove Athletic | End of season | [119] |
28 August 2015 | FW |
![]() |
Jonathon Kapend | Stafford Rangers | 26 September 2015 | [120] |
28 August 2015 | MF |
![]() |
Chekaine Steele | Buxton | 26 September 2015 | [120] |
11 September 2015 | MF |
![]() |
Omar Haughton | Newcastle Town | 9 October 2015 | [121] |
29 October 2015 | FW |
![]() |
Achille Campion | Torquay United | 29 November 2015 | [122] |
6 November 2015 | MF |
![]() |
Billy Reeves | Witton Albion | 6 February 2016 | [123] |
24 November 2015 | MF |
![]() |
Ryan Lloyd | Chester | End of season | [124] |
27 November 2015 | GK |
![]() |
Sam Johnson | F.C. Halifax Town | End of season | [125] |
29 January 2016 | MF |
![]() |
Omar Haughton | Leek Town | End of season | [126] |
29 January 2016 | MF |
![]() |
Chekaine Steele | Witton Albion | 27 February 2016 | [127] |
1 February 2016 | GK |
![]() |
Chris Neal | Doncaster Rovers | 20 February 2016 | [128] |
12 February 2016 | FW |
![]() |
Jonathon Kapend | Kidsgrove Athletic | 12 March 2016 | [129] |
12 February 2016 | MF |
![]() |
Billy Reeves | Hyde United | 12 March 2016 | [129] |
23 February 2016 | FW |
![]() |
Colin Daniel | Mansfield Town | End of season | [130] |
18 March 2016 | GK |
![]() |
Chris Neal | Bury | End of season | [131] |